The longest journey begins with a single step.
Lao Tzu
14 Comments CherryPie on Mar 30th 2020
At the beginning of March it was lovely to be able to chat to strangers as we enjoyed our walks before the world shifted into unfamiliar and surreal.
This is the tale of an encounter that happened on one of my local walks:
In the morning I waited in for a delivery that didn’t show up leading me to a window of opportunity after lunch for a local walk. I chose my direction and and one of my favourite benches was unusually vacant so I took my opportunity to sit and rest a while overlooking a pool watching the antics of the ducks and geese.
Just after I sat down I heard the exclamation ‘Oh! the bench is taken now’. A fisherman was walking along the path and settled his kit to the side of where I was perched on the bench.
I said I would move up so he could sit on the end of the bench. He protested but I moved anyway and he sat on the opposite end of the bench.
We got chatting and I asked if there were a lot of fish to be caught. He confirmed the were and some surprisingly big ones for a small pool. He showed me a picture (on his mobile phone) of him holding a large fish that he had caught recently.
As we were chatting the solitary white duck that frequents the pool was hovering around knowing that fishermen always have food. The fisherman fed the duck calling him Billy, My new found friend proceeded to tell me the story of how the duck arrived at the pool.
Apparently about 10 years ago a lady approached the pool with a shopping trolley from which she deposited three white ducks in the pool. Over the years two of the ducks met with unfortunate accidents (I will spare you the details) so now Billy was alone.
I was too busy chatting that I forgot to take photographs. The accompanying photographs are from walks that I took around the pool in 2019.
(written for a Country Walking #walk1000miles Challenge).
10 Comments CherryPie on Mar 27th 2020
12 Comments CherryPie on Mar 25th 2020
I believe there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright!
Henry David Thoreau
14 Comments CherryPie on Mar 23rd 2020
Due to Covid-19 the Grand Prix was cancelled leaving Mr C at a loose end. I convinced him that we should go and see the Knife Angel on Sunday afternoon just in case movements around the Telford area are restricted (due to the dreaded virus) in the coming week or two. Neither of us wanted to miss it in its current location.
Part of my suggestion for an afternoon out after visiting the Knife Angel was a short walk around Telford Town Park. The weather was perfect. Although Mr C was not in the mood and reluctant he indulged me. He was pleasantly surprised with what the Town Park has to offer and wants to go back for a longer walk to explore more of the history of the area.
The sculpture, made from over 100,000 seized blades, was specifically created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour whilst solidifying our critical need for social change. Not only does the Angel act as a catalyst for turning the tide on violent and aggressive behaviour, but it is also acts as a beautiful memorial designed to celebrate those lives who have been lost through these violent and thoughtless actions.
The full story of the Knife Angel can be read here.
14 Comments CherryPie on Mar 18th 2020
Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.
Soren Kierkegaard
22 Comments CherryPie on Mar 16th 2020
Sheffield Cathedral is the oldest building in Sheffield still in daily use. Formerly the Parish Church of Sheffield, it was granted Cathedral status in 1914 – however the history of Christianity on this site goes back over 1000 years.
Like many churches, Sheffield Cathedral is a building which has many stories to tell. It tells the story of the Christian faith in Sheffield through the centuries of worship, prayers and remembrance which have taken place within its walls and continue today in an unbroken Christian tradition.
It also tells the story of the City of Sheffield from the early 12th century when William de Lovetot built the first church on this site and established the township of Sheffield, through to the newly refurbished and welcoming building which today invites you to explore and learn more about the stories and the heritage told by this remarkable building.
14 Comments CherryPie on Mar 14th 2020
